Homes assessed by guessing?

As a property owner in Durham Region I was thoroughly disgusted by the attitude of finance commissioner Jim Clapp. While I believe in everyone paying their fair share of property tax, it should not be based on an arbitrarily inflated increase in property value.

Yes, we have all endured financial hardships with the weakened economy. However, how will business and shopping centres benefit by taking $5 million more in taxes from Durham residents? Many residents are on fixed incomes. When was the last time your employer or pension plan gave you a 14-per cent increase?

I would be extremely interested in having someone explain to me how individuals in that 'Black Box' known as MPAC come up with an assessed value. I am fed up hearing "it's based on sales in your area for similar homes".

This is not always the case in all areas if no homes have been sold for the last five years, or if homes are not similar. Do they use a computer model based on assumptions or is it just a guess?